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Nurseries

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Original poster

Constantly sick

14 replies

allofthecheese · 28/09/2021 14:03

So DC started nursery and they are loving it however has been sick 3 times now in the last 6 weeks since starting!

The first time took two weeks to recover, the second sickness took a week but it was horrific and now they are sick again this week. How do people cope with this?!

I realise sickness when starting is really common as they pick up all the bugs but he's been sick more times than he's been now. Either me or DH have had to take time off work to care for him which is really difficult to do in my line of work. And then we obviously still have to pay for the days he's not in but then also are not paid on that day from work!

I'm seriously contemplating pulling him out as this just isn't sustainable financially but also caring for him whilst sick so often has been tough going. But then when I see how much DC enjoys going I feel like it's good for them and it'll get easier as they build their immune system. I also really love the nursery, it's great.

Just wondering what people do when this happens? Suck it up and it gets better?

OP posts:

Mano2020 · 28/09/2021 16:21

My son was like this when he first started nursery at one years old. He has gradually got better and now is rarely ever ill apart from the constant runny nose he comes home with but even that has got better with time. He is 15 months now and absolutely loves nursery

Emsie1987 · 28/09/2021 18:00

It's really difficult and I have no solution for you. Unless you family or friends support to take over on sick days it will be just down to you and your husband to cover.

My son is now two and he started last September. Last autumn/ winter there were some months he only went three days a month and never a full week. He was either ill, recovering or their bubble had burst. It did get better from February onwards and as only started getting bad again. We have norovirus going through the house at the moment.

There is no alternative paid childcare out there to help when they are too ill to go nursery. Unless you have a nanny and will attend work to help look after sick children. But that doesn't help if a nanny's salary is out of your reach which it is ours.

I understood taking time off for children being sick would be needed but before having children didn't realise actually how much time would be needed and how guilty you would feel.

Roomarmoset · 28/09/2021 18:27

It is hard, I really feel for you. My DD started at 10 months and was ill for 5 months. Coughs, colds, hand foot and mouth, sickness it was never ending!!

After those first 5 months she hasn't been ill since apart from a few runny noses and she's nearly 3. Unfortunately you need to get through the first few months for it to get better 😔

Chessie678 · 03/10/2021 11:14

It’s really hard. Our DS has been ill about every 2 weeks since starting nursery and we’re 6 months in. We’ve just muddled through and tried to share taking time off for him with the one who is most needed at work that day going in. We’ve also tried to catch up on work evenings and weekends. It’s doubly hard when you also get whatever they have.

We did get him the chicken pox jab as that will hopefully save a week of illness. We also send him in if he just has a bit of a cold as long as he’s well enough to cope with nursery.

I’m assured it gets better at some point and that they all go through this stage!

rosed1008 · 03/10/2021 11:18

Ergh I sympathise, it's never ending. There has been months when my daughter has been sent home every week! It does get better but shes woken up with a snotty nose this morning and i can just sense the dreaded phone call from nursery coming this week!

You just have to have an understanding employer. My current boss is a mother and shes been much better than my previous childless male boss.

What we have learned is to share it out a bit more, i was doing all the sick childcare because i wfh but we now take it in turns between me and my husband which is better.

Good luck you will get on a good run soon i promise, ours has come in fits and spurts.

SmallProvincial · 03/10/2021 11:23

The first winter in nursery is BRUTAL.

DD (1yo at the time) caught every bug going and was a permanent pile of snot, sneezes, coughs and the occasional fever.

By her second winter it was far better.

Now, age 5, she has the immune system of an ox (an ox with a very strong immune system).

BlusteryLake · 03/10/2021 11:43

As a PP said, the first winter at nursery is tough. If it's any consolation, it stands them in very good stead for school, though. My DC are much older now, and have barely had a day off school sick between them.

Weenurse · 03/10/2021 11:48

Mine started in January and I counted, she had 4 snot free weeks by May.
By school, they were never sick as they had become immune to all of the bugs. Short term pain for long term gain.

Mangosmoothiesprinkles · 03/10/2021 11:58

This is totally normal. I don’t know anyone who’s children haven’t had similar. Best thing you can do to help him is ensure he gets a suitable dose of vitamin D and also wash his hands and change his clothes as soon as he’s home etc.

Franca123 · 07/10/2021 21:55

My two year old constantly has one runny nostril but rarely comes down with anything. Instead he passes all his nursery germs directly to me, his Dad and his poor baby sister. She's barely been well since she's been born. Her baby photos are dreadful as she always looks so ill! I'm hoping by the time she starts nursery, she'll have had all the bugs going.

HelplesslyHoping · 07/11/2021 19:00

It does get better, their immune systems are wrecked because they've had 2 years away from germs. Multivitamins and hand washing are all you can do.

MrsMaglev · 17/11/2021 14:30

No sage words of wisdom to add here - just wanted to reiterate the frustration. My daughter has just been sent home for probably the 30th time since starting nursery in June. This winter is awful. My older child (not a lockdown baby) had nothing like it - but it’s obviously hitting the poor covid babies worse because they have no immunity and the policy of sending them home the minute they’re unwell isn’t helping I don’t think!

If anybody has any bright ideas on what can be done to make this better I’d love to hear them. I’m leaving my job for something less high stress at least in part so we can cope with nursery and school closures/illness over the winter.

Good luck to everybody dealing with this. They’ll be strong as oxes when we get out the other side!

Cluuish14 · 23/11/2021 23:09

Going through exactly the same, my DS started Nursey in Sept he only goes 2 mornings a week (when well). But so far has been off more than in.
Thank you for helping me realise this is normal, was tempted to take him out, but will leave him going to keep building his immunity.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 23/11/2021 23:15

Yep, going through the same. DD has been in for seven weeks now and I think we've only managed one week with full attendance. We've had two bouts of vomiting, one hand, foot and mouth, never ending snot and a near permanent cough. Three [negative] covid tests. And teething, teething and more teething temperatures and a sore bottom.

Gosh, if I get that right, I could turn it into the 12 days of Christmas for 2021.

It's hideous. The only way we've managed is by having the ability to work from home and make up hours in the evening and had one day of care from each grandmother. I know it was bad with DC1 but I don't remember it being this bad. Perhaps the memory fades, or perhaps it's the combo or lack of exposure to germs so far due to covid + nursery is being hyper cautious due to covid. I just can't wait for her to be well.

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